Djuric: For Serbia, the UN is a guarantor of preserving territorial integrity and sovereignty in Kosovo and Metohija

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric said that the United Nations are a guarantor of preserving Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty in Kosovo and Metohija. He made the statement after the signing of the United Nations–Republic of Serbia Cooperation Framework for Sustainable Development for 2026–2030.

Djuric signed the document with the UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia, Matilde Mordt. The framework defines the key priorities for joint work on the country’s further development, modernization, and improving the quality of life of all citizens.

In his remarks after signing, the minister said that today’s ceremonial event represents the strongest possible confirmation of the Republic of Serbia’s commitment to multilateralism and to the role and nature of the United Nations as an organization on which the international order has rested for decades. “Although we live in a time when the structure of the international system is increasingly being called into question, and we are faced with attempts to replace rules with force and institutions with selective interpretation, we cannot escape this reality,” Djuric said.

He added that states wishing to preserve their stability and future must be aware that protecting national interests is a legitimate right and obligation, but that such protection must be grounded in the principles of the UN Charter, international law, and the general rules of a rules-based international order.

“For a country such as Serbia, protecting national interests does not mean isolation or abandoning cooperation, but rather clear and principled advocacy for preserving a rules-based international order. That is precisely why Serbia remains a strong and consistent advocate of the United Nations system. This system exists to ensure equality among states and to prevent international relations from being guided by the logic of force instead of the force of law. For Serbia, the United Nations are a guarantor of preserving our sovereignty and territorial integrity in Kosovo and Metohija, and for that reason—along with many of the aforementioned reasons—we attach particular importance to this cooperation,” the minister said.

He stressed that the cooperation framework being signed today is more than a development document. “It is an expression of a shared commitment to these principles, but it is also a concrete mechanism that links Serbia’s national development priorities with the global Sustainable Development Goals. Those goals make sense only if they are implemented within a stable international order based on law, not arbitrariness. For Serbia, respect for international law is not a matter of momentary political circumstances, but a permanent and unchanging principle. That is why it is of special importance that this cooperation framework clearly and unambiguously recognizes the proper institutional framework of the United Nations—and the document before us, which is very important to emphasize, recognizes the progress Serbia has made in the previous period,” Djuric said.

He noted that this progress is the result of responsible economic policies, institutional strengthening, and a willingness to make decisions in the long-term interest of the state and its citizens.

“However, we are aware that development is not a linear process and that many further challenges lie ahead—demographic and environmental, as well as structural and social. That is precisely why we view cooperation with UN agencies and programs as an important pillar for Serbia’s continued progress, fully aligned with our national priorities. At today’s meeting with Resident Coordinator Mordt, we also established that there is over 70 percent overlap between UN programs and the reforms Serbia is undertaking in the process of accession to the European Union. Thus, today’s agreement also represents an additional impetus for our enlargement process,” the head of Serbian diplomacy said.

He also thanked Minister Nemanja Starovic and the Ministry for European Integration, with whom a large part of these programs—producing tangible results—is implemented in close coordination and cooperation.

“Serbia has achieved a level of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals that is above the global average. At the same time, we clearly understand that economic growth in itself is not sufficient if it is not accompanied by social cohesion, environmental protection, and equal opportunities for all. In that context, I would also like to thank the UN team in Serbia, whose role is of particular importance. We at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remain fully committed to cooperation within the Joint National Steering Committee, in order to contribute to more sustainable and more stable development in our country. With full respect, I once again emphasize the importance of our territorial integrity, our subjectivity under international law, and our irreconcilable and unwavering respect for public international law,” Djuric concluded.

Starovic: For Serbia, the UN Is the Most Important International Organization

At the signing ceremony—also attended by the Minister for European Integration, Nemanja Starovic—it was emphasized that this strategic document is more than an administrative act and is a symbol of a shared vision of Serbia as a greener, healthier, and more inclusive country, the Ministry for European Integration said in a statement.

The successful cooperation to date will continue in areas jointly identified as priorities: Green and resilient development: Low-carbon and inclusive growth fully aligned with environmental protection; Human capital: Direct investment in citizens’ well-being as the most valuable resource Serbia possesses; Strengthening institutions: Rule of law and building accountable institutions that form the foundation of justice and security.

Minister Starovic said that for Serbia the UN remain the most important international organization.

“In a world full of challenges, the role of the UN in preserving peace, protecting human rights, and promoting sustainable development is more important today than ever,” he said.

Starovic added that the goals in this strategic document are deeply linked to Serbia’s European path, emphasizing that the country is not implementing reforms only to meet prescribed criteria, but to adapt the UN’s global goals to Serbia’s own priorities and improve the quality of life of all citizens.

As stated, the Government of Serbia expressed gratitude to the UN in Serbia for its technical expertise and dedication to date, with the message that innovation and inclusiveness will be guiding principles in implementing this five-year plan.

UN Resident Coordinator Matilde Mordt said that signing the document reflects the commitment of the Government of Serbia and the United Nations to navigating the next five years together in a time of profound global transitions.

“Our shared goal remains achieving sustainable development, as expressed in the 2030 Agenda and the Pact for the Future. Serbia has made significant progress in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in areas such as health care, education, and poverty reduction. It is a leader in digital transformation and has demonstrated stable and resilient growth over the past decade,” she said.

Mordt noted that the UN support building capacities to implement integrated development solutions on the ground in order to improve the lives of the people of Serbia.